Vancouver man accused of arson at resource center for the deaf

by KATU.com staff

File photo

Vancouver, Wash —

A local resource center for the deaf has been targeted, damaged, and defaced for the fourth time this year.

This time a small fire was started inside.

In the early morning hours of Saturday Oct 7th, Vancouver police responded to a motion alarm at the Southwest Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Officers saw smoke coming out of a broken window, and called the Vancouver Fire Department.

Officers spotted 20-year-old Justin L Smith-Riggs of Vancouver, while walking the perimeter. Police say Smith-Riggs tried to run away, but was detained a short time later. Smith-Riggs is now facing Burglary, Arson, and Malicious Mischief charges.

The investigation is on-going.

Here's a link to our previous reporting on this resource center for the deaf, getting targeted by vandals.